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Bible Study The Dumbing Down of Christianity

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One of my favourete blogs is wintery knight and he for years has been decrying the rejection of reason in christian churches.

You can start turning this round by challenging your preachers on their lack of reason in the sermons.
By when public prayers are invited using a reasoned biblical prayer thar refers to the historic facts thatChristianity is built on.
At church meetings suggesting that more ephersis be placed on reasoned exposotory preaching, that evangelistic events be held that are a reasoned explanation of Christianity.
For the young people hold a 'grill a Christian event' where any question can be asked and will be answered.
Start reviewing in the church magerzine books, web sites and online discussions that are all reasoned explanations of Christianity.

Start with coldcasechristianity, move on to answersingenises, wintery knight and end with reasonablefaith.
 
we can read all the books by various authors web pages but it boils down to this

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

this can be taken in many ways and before it is over it will . we as the Church must be serious 2 2nd chronicles 7:14 is great place to start
 
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

This is not all churches, but many that I have attended in the past.

How many churches even follow what James has written. Many shut their doors on the lowly and depressed as they deem them not worthy to enter through their doors as they would be a bad influence on their children. Many churches allow the spirit of Jezebel speak from their pulpits teaching doctrines of devils.

Many pastors do not even know what they preach as their sermons are given them by the government (ruling authorities) of their denomination and they are to read only what is written. If you ask them any questions about the sermon they can not answer you, because they do not study to show themselves approved unto God.

Many churches have become so politically correct as not to step on any one's toes with their feel good emotional praise songs and maybe some verses of scripture thrown in from the pastor that leaves the very soul empty and undernourished. Ask the people what they learnt and they can not remember, but felt good for a couple hours.

I could go on and on what's wrong with today's assembling, but I think you can get my point. We need the church to be our place of learning the mysteries of God's word. We need to be challenged in the word to seek the knowledge of God and to grow in our relationship with Christ. We need Pastors that have a hunger for the word and their congregation as they open the doors to all who want to enter in.

These church's are out there, far and in between, but saddens me they are no longer in my area. I've had people tell me I am not a Christian if I do not attend church as I am forsaking the assembling. Sorry, but I do not need that type of assembling as they play church and are not the church. My assembling is with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who teaches me and challenges me in the word and those I share and discuss the word with like here in CF as I consider this forum and all those who come in here my church family. I've probably learnt more in here in the past few years with what others present that challenges me to dig deeper in the word to search out truth. We might not always agree with each other, but it is also up to each individual to rightly divide the word and learn that of what God wants us to learn.
 
Many pastors do not even know what they preach as their sermons are given them by the government (ruling authorities) of their denomination and they are to read only what is written. If you ask them any questions about the sermon they can not answer you, because they do not study to show themselves approved unto God.

Many churches have become so politically correct as not to step on any one's toes with their feel good emotional praise songs and maybe some verses of scripture thrown in from the pastor that leaves the very soul empty and undernourished. Ask the people what they learnt and they can not remember, but felt good for a couple hours.
well not sure about sermons given but i have heard preacher say it is the month to preach on tithing --i cant think of the word i want to really use . i have never been told what to preach . i have had discussions with other preachers.. end up preaching a message on it .. the pastor of the church i attend uses note does a great job . he does not preach from his notes but uses them as guidelines. my self i wouldnt know how to do a out line of say 3 pages for a message " so politically correct as not to step on any one's toes ' you have that along with the ones who are so theologically correct they preach over the cong head . a pastor is only as good as his cong and a cong is only as good as the pastor. then we have those whoa re there but not there
 
i am some what reluctant to post this article . but here goes nothing i do HAVE serious doubts it generating much response .
this article is so full of truth and it hits the nail on the head . so as ecclesiastics writer says as the tree falls so shall it lay .
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-...eKBtCRvqes6Jksq8awc5vdAB33zYwCiNOk4Ryl3fM1hq4

I thought it was a good article, and a good topic. I have lived in this town I am in for about 14 months now, and still do not have a church that I call my own. I've been to a few of them here and there, but they seem to be...not giving out meat. No tools for Christian growth. I get that kind of solid food from YouTube Pastors, and reading the word for myself, usually while conversing with the Holy Spirit...what does that mean Lord? and so forth. That works and I am learning and growing albeit slowly, lol.

In scripture it says that in the last days that knowledge will be increased. That is going on right now all over the globe. Knowledge about God is being increased a lot. When I first recommitted my life to our Lord back in 2009, I had very little clue. and the churches are mostly dry and only to tickle ones ears. I wanted more than that. I knew there had to be more. He taught me right off that reading His Word is not only desirable but critical for us in these last days. Also that Prayer is a dialogue and not a monologue.

One day I thought...do I really want to show up in heaven some day and have to admit that I didn't even read his book all the way through even one time?! Uhhh, I don't want to be that guy! So I did. I've read it cover to cover three times now and a lot more just day to day studying. So to speak that is. I do not read every day like I should. But it only takes three weeks to ingrain a new routine or habits. In the morning is best for me. The house is quiet, I'm fresh from sleep, it's a good time to read and pray.

I've heard soo many people make excuses for not reading the Bible. Hard to understand, can't read well, don't like reading and stuff like that. One does not have to be smart or well read to read the Bible and grow from it. Man does not, learn...so that he can do something...We do something...so that we can learn.

There's at least one prominent preacher on YouTube that could not read...and then got saved and learned to read by reading the Bible! This Brother gives real tools in his messages because of that.

There is a lot of room for growth and advancement in our Lord's Kingdom. We can be uh, promoted so to speak. But to more who is given, more will be required. Scripture (OT) speaks of the sea (allegory for God's Spirit) and describes it as, ankle deep, shin deep, waist deep, then deep enough to swim in...over our head (IIRC). So with effort and perseverance we can go as deep into the Lord as we want to!

I'm pretty sure that scripture also talks about Angels who go around periodically and measure us somehow (spiritually no doubt), and if we measure up then we will have more added unto us. I want this! I know that the trials and tests will become harder as I grow...but Lord willing I will endure and pass some of these tests, lol.

Oh, you opened a can of worms Brother! I could go on and on about this!
Gooood topic!
 
I'm all for home church Bible studies like it was with the first churches the Apostles traveled to and taught in others homes. Although they had to meet in secret for fear the Roman guards would find them. I was asked once to lead a home Bible study, but declined as I wasn't lead by God to do this.
 
I thought it was a good article, and a good topic. I have lived in this town I am in for about 14 months now, and still do not have a church that I call my own. I've been to a few of them here and there, but they seem to be...not giving out meat. No tools for Christian growth. I get that kind of solid food from YouTube Pastors, and reading the word for myself, usually while conversing with the Holy Spirit...what does that mean Lord? and so forth. That works and I am learning and growing albeit slowly, lol.
i have never had to leave the area i live in and find a church in a place i know not much about.. but what your saying seems to be a trend in some areas mainly your big mega churches . personally i think we have a lot of feel good churches..lets be cool lets be hip hop in our music.. the so called praise bands .put on a better rock concert than ac/dc did in the video for those about to rock we salute you. we are seeing Bible prophecy taking place before our very eyes.. if you dont mind baptist preachers 3 come to mind Adrian rogers he is deceased but puts it out there. James Merritt David Jeremiah. of course jay Vernon McGee is good even though he is deceased . the first 3 are southern baptist along they way you will hear about osas. take my advice listen to them eat the meat throw the bones away. like eating chicken if osas doesn't fit in your belief over look that part listen to the rest . i hope you can find a good church...
Oh, you opened a can of worms Brother! I could go on and on about this!
Gooood topic!
feel free to elaborate all you want. i got booted out of another forum over this because i questioned how long it took to look over and give thumbs up . geesh i thought it was full of truth . i am just a country boy with h.s education schooled by the Holy spirit . trying to do the best i can by his grace
I'm all for home church Bible studies like it was with the first churches the Apostles traveled to and taught in others homes.
i am weary of home Bible studies this day and age . the church needs called teacher like preachers are called of God.. i can teach but not like a real teacher there is a difference between teaching and preaching . a good teacher makes it easy for the preacher
 
I am having the same problem as you Edward. One church I attended adultery was rife, and that included the minister. The next church, different denomination was the same. The next one was more like a social club, very nice people, but not alive for the Lord. The minister has left now and they have been without one for months. Another is RC and another Orthodox. I can't go to them, I don't like the statues. Another is Baptist special for LGTG, And so it goes on and on. I don't think I will ever find one. What has happened to this country??? I don't drive and public transport is scarce on Sundays. But the search goes on.
 
i am weary of home Bible studies this day and age . the church needs called teacher like preachers are called of God.. i can teach but not like a real teacher there is a difference between teaching and preaching . a good teacher makes it easy for the preacher

When our last church had to close its doors due to lack of giving from the congregation some of us got together with our Pastor and started a home Bible study group. I liked it because everyone was involved in asking questions and seeking answers through the scriptures. You don't get that interaction in any regular church you go to as many pastors don't want to be bothered with questions, especially when they can't answer them. Unfortunately our Pastor had to take a job to support his family and that ended the home Bible studies. My husband and I tried a few churches in our area and like Edward they were not for us and what we needed.
 
When our last church had to close its doors due to lack of giving from the congregation some of us got together with our Pastor and started a home Bible study group. I liked it because everyone was involved in asking questions and seeking answers through the scriptures. You don't get that interaction in any regular church you go to as many pastors don't want to be bothered with questions, especially when they can't answer them. Unfortunately our Pastor had to take a job to support his family and that ended the home Bible studies. My husband and I tried a few churches in our area and like Edward they were not for us and what we needed.
when i teach i ask questions i allow discussion in fact i encourage it i have not been to wed night bible study in a while being on ten hours i am tired plus i get in at 5:30 pm have to eat shower get dressed drive about 10 miles... i dont go like i use to Unfortunately it takes money to keep the church doors open one dollar and 5 dollar bills in the collection plate dont keep things going.. i am not one for hammering on tithes , but it does take fair amount keep things going...

the first church i pastored i held business meeting . asked how the finances was a older woman spoke up said that is none of your business . o my the stories i could tell she had a Jezebel spirit did not like change . it was a one room church over a hundred years old . her husbands family had control and she knew it. so many small churches are closing .i like the old country churches my self.
 
I am having the same problem as you Edward. One church I attended adultery was rife, and that included the minister. The next church, different denomination was the same. The next one was more like a social club, very nice people, but not alive for the Lord. The minister has left now and they have been without one for months. Another is RC and another Orthodox. I can't go to them, I don't like the statues. Another is Baptist special for LGTG, And so it goes on and on. I don't think I will ever find one. What has happened to this country??? I don't drive and public transport is scarce on Sundays. But the search goes on.
that is unreal what a mess that is sad
 
I am having the same problem as you Edward. One church I attended adultery was rife, and that included the minister. The next church, different denomination was the same. The next one was more like a social club, very nice people, but not alive for the Lord. The minister has left now and they have been without one for months. Another is RC and another Orthodox. I can't go to them, I don't like the statues. Another is Baptist special for LGTG, And so it goes on and on. I don't think I will ever find one. What has happened to this country??? I don't drive and public transport is scarce on Sundays. But the search goes on.

I've been invited to several different churches here and been to three of them. I've been to my bosses church 3 or 4 times? and I think it is the biggest church in Canton. The sanctuary (I'm guessing) hold 2500 or 3000 people?! And it's always pretty darn full too. They have boxes of earplugs sitting outside in the hallway that are free to take, because OMG! They're band is way loud! Like being at a concert or something! For real. I thik it may be too big for me as a church. There is so many members that hardly anyone knows each other I think. I haven't been therte enough or talked to that many people to have heard of any internal problems there, but even though it is a nice service that they put on (about 2 hours give or take)...the Pastor's (same Pastor over 30 years) only talks about a 30 minute message, and I found myself wishing it was longer. I did not feel any strong presence of the Holy Spirit there either.

The first church I got invited to was from my neighbor and it was sort of a community outreach center with a food bank and they seem to be doing a lot for the poor in the community. They fed us after the service, lol! The Pastor is a very nice lady there but the congregation was...disadvantaged poor people from the city. Some might say the dregs of the city, the druggies, alcoholics and so forth. I didn't feel like I fit in too well there because (I didn't know, he said it was church, and it was) but I showed up way over dressed and I kind of stood out I think in this predominately black church. I had a lot of people looking at me, lol. They had a great sounding band though smallish and slightly folkish/ragtag kinda. Very good sound though.

I got invited to a new church last Sunday called The Chapel Green, and it sounded like a small church but it was pretty big. Not as Big as Faith Family, but big enough that they had their own orchestra complete with brass section and everything! Had two rows of kids lined up singing on one side, a choir of Adults in the middle with small orchestra in front of them and the brass horns to the right front. This was their last sunday service before Christmas and they sang a bunch of Christmas hymns. They did the little drummer boy (pa rum pa pum pum...) and had a little guy out there with a drum (about 9 or 10 yrs old) as the little drummer boy I guess, but it was soo cool! Oh they did such a good job on that song, and it's not even really one of my favorites! But they nailed it! and that young boy really played the single drum good! It was great. Not as loud as the other church, but good...and a very short message here too! What is with that?! It was like 40 minutes only. This church was like 15 or 20 miles away from home so I doubt I'll go regularly to it. Their message...uh, didn't overly inspire me either. It wasn't bad, but could have been better and longer I thought. Maybe it was just because it was their Christmas service? I'll prolly go at least another time or two there to see.

The Lord did pretty much tell me though...Go fellowship and join up with a church and worship Him with a gathering of other saved souls as one in Spirit. So I want to get in somewhere here, but I don't know where, I do not feel drawn to any of them yet. Boy, when I was in Colorado and I walked into Rocky Mountain Calvary the first time, the Holy Spirit's presence was thick when I first walked into their sanctuary! He hit me hard in that church!

Recently I had one of my bosses customers invite me to her bible study that she does at her house. Now that sounds interesting and I want to go sit in on that! Prolly after the first of the year sometime. I have her number. We had a real nice talk about the Lord when I worked at her house. I wound up telling her about four or five of my testimonies!
 
My husband and I tried a few churches in our area and like @Edward they were not for us and what we needed.

I kind of thought about this, but I had the thought that, what if that is the church that He needs me in? To help them, or be the hands and mouth for God to help them? I suppose it's possible. I did pray about it and what is your will here Lord? Is this church approved by you for me? ...and haven't really got an answer on that one yet, so I don't know.

But the Lord works in mysterious ways at times and I sure wouldn't want to not go to a church that He wanted me at...I actually don't like that thought, but it really isn't up to me, it is His will and not mine so I have to remain open for that possibility. That's how the Lord rolls sometimes too, I pray for something and He answers it in the worst way possible for me, to do something that I don't want to do!

Like I prayed for Him to teach me to love others...the way that He loves me...and I'm pretty sure that He sent the most obnoxious guy in the neighborhood into my life so I could learn it with him. He's very hard to talk to and misunderstands so much that I say. He gets offended real easy. It dawned on me that this might have been the Lords doing in response to my prayer...If I could learn to love this neighbor as myself, then I would be doing very good, lol! It seemed sort of impossible at first but, remembering the Lords words, What we do unto others is like doing it unto Jesus Him self, I have hung in there and try to talk to the man, be friends with him and help him and his mom some. He has tried to take advantage of that with me a few times and I cautiously turn him down at those times when he tries to get me to do things for him. But then I'll not answer the door for a few days and then answer it and surprise him with a kindness again, when it is my idea though and not when he tries to order me to do things for him. He has taken a 'tone' with me a couple times in my own house like he was ordering me to make him a sandwich and coffee. I could not let this guy take that tone with and I actually booted him out for itone time and told him to go home now. Your mama or your wife don't live here. See ya'! He was just testing me and my limits so I had to let him know that I have limits.

Actually, I think I am making progress with the man now. He came over earlier and I fed him some snacks and coffee and gave him a few bucks to help him out (and his mom too). I met her once and I don't think she likes me. She is a very old elderly black lady that has prolly led a hard life and hasn't got much now...and her son is 2 months younger than me (56) and living with her. She gets mad at him and locks him out sometimes! So I think she thinks that, any friend of Johnnies must be a deadbeat punk or something?
Not many people in the neighborhood like this guy. I invited him to ride to the drive through with me about 10 days ago and he did...but when we got there and they seen Johnnie in my truck with me, they wouldn't serve me and sell me a couple packs of smokes because he was with me! I've been back since alone and they told me, sorry but he comes in here talking bad to us and calling us names because we wont give him stuff for free...beers and cigarettes. So they had to do that when he was with me.

He came over tonight and seemed like he was angry and wanting to 'tell me a thing or two' and voice his displeasure that I didn't answer the door for him last night. But my family called and I don't get to talk to them very often anymore, so if it's between my family on the phone and neighbor Johnnie, johnnie loses, no offense. It is what it is. He voiced a little bit more displeasure and it irritated me because I don't need that drama, but Bit my tongue and let him talk and finish and did not get mad and silently looked for the Lords help and Lord grant me patience! and after he finished, I asked him, did you get it all out of you now? and he just busted out laughing very hard!

So he calmed down and we had a nice visit. After he was well fed with snacks and coffee, and I sharpened his new knife for him on my belt sander, he started saying...I don't like you man. Do you know what I don't like about you? ...and I realized that he was wanting to let me know how much he is beginning to like me, but couldn't bring himself to say it like that! He's not used to that sort of social interaction. He was raised on the other side of the tracks, where his people don't talk to each other like that! I understood. He even once let it slip out of his mouth that we are good friends. That is significant becauseIMentioned we were friends before, and he made a huge point of explaining that we are not friends, we are associates. So that was very telling and made me feel pretty good. I think he is realizing that not everyone is out to get him.

Itold him about God saving my life and I am trying not to be that old man who was vindictive and cruel and mean like I used to be eons ago before I learned honor and so forth. and obeying the Lord by walking in love towards our Brothers and Sisters on this earth. It's taking lots of patience by me but I think it's rubbing off on him a little and I'm making a bit of progress. Praise the Lord!
 
A couple of suggestions on looking for a church.
check out the christianityexplored website for chgurches in your area that do or have run this course.
Try the shipoffools mystery worshiper site for reports on churches and don't forget to complete the mysteryworshiper yourself when visiting churches.
 
I kind of thought about this, but I had the thought that, what if that is the church that He needs me in? To help them, or be the hands and mouth for God to help them? I suppose it's possible. I did pray about it and what is your will here Lord? Is this church approved by you for me? ...and haven't really got an answer on that one yet, so I don't know.

But the Lord works in mysterious ways at times and I sure wouldn't want to not go to a church that He wanted me at...I actually don't like that thought, but it really isn't up to me, it is His will and not mine so I have to remain open for that possibility. That's how the Lord rolls sometimes too, I pray for something and He answers it in the worst way possible for me, to do something that I don't want to do!

Like I prayed for Him to teach me to love others...the way that He loves me...and I'm pretty sure that He sent the most obnoxious guy in the neighborhood into my life so I could learn it with him. He's very hard to talk to and misunderstands so much that I say. He gets offended real easy. It dawned on me that this might have been the Lords doing in response to my prayer...If I could learn to love this neighbor as myself, then I would be doing very good, lol! It seemed sort of impossible at first but, remembering the Lords words, What we do unto others is like doing it unto Jesus Him self, I have hung in there and try to talk to the man, be friends with him and help him and his mom some. He has tried to take advantage of that with me a few times and I cautiously turn him down at those times when he tries to get me to do things for him. But then I'll not answer the door for a few days and then answer it and surprise him with a kindness again, when it is my idea though and not when he tries to order me to do things for him. He has taken a 'tone' with me a couple times in my own house like he was ordering me to make him a sandwich and coffee. I could not let this guy take that tone with and I actually booted him out for itone time and told him to go home now. Your mama or your wife don't live here. See ya'! He was just testing me and my limits so I had to let him know that I have limits.

Actually, I think I am making progress with the man now. He came over earlier and I fed him some snacks and coffee and gave him a few bucks to help him out (and his mom too). I met her once and I don't think she likes me. She is a very old elderly black lady that has prolly led a hard life and hasn't got much now...and her son is 2 months younger than me (56) and living with her. She gets mad at him and locks him out sometimes! So I think she thinks that, any friend of Johnnies must be a deadbeat punk or something?
Not many people in the neighborhood like this guy. I invited him to ride to the drive through with me about 10 days ago and he did...but when we got there and they seen Johnnie in my truck with me, they wouldn't serve me and sell me a couple packs of smokes because he was with me! I've been back since alone and they told me, sorry but he comes in here talking bad to us and calling us names because we wont give him stuff for free...beers and cigarettes. So they had to do that when he was with me.

He came over tonight and seemed like he was angry and wanting to 'tell me a thing or two' and voice his displeasure that I didn't answer the door for him last night. But my family called and I don't get to talk to them very often anymore, so if it's between my family on the phone and neighbor Johnnie, johnnie loses, no offense. It is what it is. He voiced a little bit more displeasure and it irritated me because I don't need that drama, but Bit my tongue and let him talk and finish and did not get mad and silently looked for the Lords help and Lord grant me patience! and after he finished, I asked him, did you get it all out of you now? and he just busted out laughing very hard!

So he calmed down and we had a nice visit. After he was well fed with snacks and coffee, and I sharpened his new knife for him on my belt sander, he started saying...I don't like you man. Do you know what I don't like about you? ...and I realized that he was wanting to let me know how much he is beginning to like me, but couldn't bring himself to say it like that! He's not used to that sort of social interaction. He was raised on the other side of the tracks, where his people don't talk to each other like that! I understood. He even once let it slip out of his mouth that we are good friends. That is significant becauseIMentioned we were friends before, and he made a huge point of explaining that we are not friends, we are associates. So that was very telling and made me feel pretty good. I think he is realizing that not everyone is out to get him.

Itold him about God saving my life and I am trying not to be that old man who was vindictive and cruel and mean like I used to be eons ago before I learned honor and so forth. and obeying the Lord by walking in love towards our Brothers and Sisters on this earth. It's taking lots of patience by me but I think it's rubbing off on him a little and I'm making a bit of progress. Praise the Lord!

You just never know who God is going to place before us and we truly do need patience when it comes to some people.

The last two churches my husband and I use to go to before the doors were unfortunately closed were the best Spiritual experience in my Christian life. It was like Jesus himself speaking from the pulpit and the moving of the Holy Spirit so strong at times you almost fell over just walking through the door.

We were involved with many works of Christ through both those churches. It's just to hard to settle for anything less as the churches in my area are either spiritually dead or go overboard with praise songs and only leaves a couple of minutes for the Pastor to read a couple scriptures than right back to the music. One of the churches we walked into the service had already started and one lady came up to us and asked if she could help us like we didn't belong there.

Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

I know this verse was about the money changers in the Temple, but even today His house needs to be a house of prayer, but many have made it a den of thieves as they are robbing people of the Spiritual presence of the Lord as He is kicked to the curb.
 
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